Sifan Hassan Sets Olympic Record, Secures Treble in Women's Marathon Gold Medal Win

Sifan Hassan closed out her 2024 Summer Olympics in emphatic fashion.

The Dutch distance runner edged out Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa in a furious fight to the finish to win the women's marathon. Only 0.03 seconds separated the two when they crossed the line, and Hassan set an Olympic record with a time of 2:22:55.

Kenya's Hellen Obiri rounded out the medal podium.

Having already earned bronze medals in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races in Paris, Hassan entered rarefied air with her triumph. ESPN's Connor O'Halloran noted Czech legend Emil Zátopek (1952) is the only other runner to medal in three distance events at one Summer Games.

"I have no words," Hassan said. "Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5000m and 10,000m. I was telling myself if I hadn't done that, I would feel great today."

Despite dealing with that fatigue, the 31-year-old grew stronger as Sunday's race unfolded. She was running in 11th place at the halfway mark and moved up into sixth with 25 kilometers down. It wasn't until the final split that she finally overtook Assefa, Obiri and the others in the lead pack.

Peres Jepchirchir, the reigning gold medalist, faded significantly toward the end. Through 30 kilometers, the Kenyan was in fourth place and looked poised for a second straight marathon medal. Instead, she wound up in 15th place.

The battle for bronze was just as close as the gap between Hassan and Assefa. Obiri and compatriot Sharon Lokedi, who both ran personal bests, were only apart by 0.04 seconds.